Preliminary study on diagnostic reference levels of whole-body PET-CT examinations in Jiangsu Province, China

To survey the whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) examinations in Jiangsu Province and establish the diagnostic reference levels (DRL). A total of nine hospitals in southern, central and northern Jiangsu Provinces were selected. Activity duration product (ADP), activity per body weight (A(W)), dose-length product (DLP) and total effective dose (E-T) were choosen to establish DRLs for whole-body PET-CT examinations. DRL and achievable dose (AD) were calculated according to International Commission on Radiological Protection report. The conversion coefficient method was used to calculate the E-T induced by PET-CT whole-body imaging. DRLs of whole-body PET-CT examinations in Jiangsu Province were set to be 922 mGy & BULL;cm (DLP), 4453 MBq.min (ADP), 5.22 MBq.kg(-1)(A(W)), 19.8 mSv (E-T). The E-T for whole-body PET-CT examinations is higher than other countries. The effective dose from radionuclides (E-F) in female patients is lower than that in male patients. Effective doses from CT(E-CT), E-T and E-CT/E-T in female patients are higher than that in male patients (P < 0.01). Provincial DRLs are established for four radiation metrics in whole-body PET-CT examinations. DRL of A(W) in whole-body PET-CT examinations is at the medium level, and DLP is higher than that reported in most literature, which has the potential to be further reduced.

Automated summary

This study surveyed whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) examinations in Jiangsu Province and established diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). Nine hospitals in three regions of Jiangsu Province were included in the study. Various metrics were used to establish the DRLs, including activity duration product (ADP), activity per body weight (A(W)), dose-length product (DLP), and total effective dose (E-T). The DRLs for whole-body PET-CT examinations in Jiangsu Province were determined to be 922 mGy • cm (DLP), 4453 MBq.min (ADP), 5.22 MBq.kg(-1)(A(W)), and 19.8 mSv (E-T). The E-T for whole-body PET-CT examinations in Jiangsu Province was found to be higher than in other countries.